The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-28
INGALLS,. DIPLOMA.
He Got it by the Skin of His Teeth, but
tho College Now Hoaors Him.
From the st. Paul Globe.

From the ST, Paul Globe
"Vice President ingalls, had narrow cs-
cape about getting diploma from his alma
mater, " remarked St Paul gentleman who
was former clasSinate at Williams College,
where he was one year ahead of the late
President Garfield, land the circumstances
which led to it may prove of interest Near
Williams College, in the town Of Pittsfeld,
Mass, there was young ladies'
seminary known as the Maplewood Insti-
tute, and one of the practices of the good
preceptress at the head was TO give her
charges an airing among the Berkshire
Hills in large omnibus, By comb-
nation OF circumstances, one day a
bus load of attractive femininity
pulled into the staid old college grounds,
and fate led them past West College, in one
of the rooms of which was located Sophie
more John j. Ingalls,. He had provided him
self with large tin horn, and as the fair
schoolgirls passed his quarters he gave them
an outburst of melody with his horn that
stirred the whole college Nothing was
said at the time, but a few days later, when
the class of which Mr.. Ingalls, was member
assembled for the customary rhetorical ex-
erclses, President Mark Hopkins entered
and took chair on the rostrum. Tapping
the thumb of his left hand with his eye
glasses-a favorite habit, by the way, when
he wanted to scold a delinquent-he called
attention to Student Ingalls, breach of
decorum, and accused him of not being
averse to blowing his own horn upon every
occasion.
Under this castigation from the vener-
able President, ingalls, remained quiet, but
he was terribly enraged, and everybody in
school knew taht he would only bide his
time to get even. And it came on gradua-
ton day. According to usage he had pre-
pared an essay, which he entitled Mummy
Life at College and this was submitted TO
one Of the professors for revision. Natur-
ally, it had to be toned, and when the manu-
script was returned to Mr. Ingalls, the most
telling points, according to his idea, were
eliminated. Finally he was called upon to
deliver his essay before the assembled null
titude on commencement day, and to the
horror of president and faculty he an
nounced as his subject College MummieS.
In keen sarcastic manner, for which he
has since become foremost in the United
States, he paid his respects to his tutors and
persisted In finishing his remarks, although
repeatedly told to stop.
Then he sat down and waited develop
ments. After short pause diploma was
handed him, but to his amazement and cha
grin it was mere blank so far as any testi-
monlal of merit was concerned. But ingalls,
again outwitted the faculty, for previous to
delivering his speech he had visited the col
lege treasurer, paid his bill and obtained
receipt which included a certificate of grad
uation as Bachelor of Arts. To this he
called the attention of the faculty, adding
that if they persisted in refusing him what
was his by rights he would at once institute
a suit against the college. A few days later
he was made happy by receiving properly
signed and authenticated document show
ing him to be graduate of Williams in
good standing. This took place in 1855, and
twenty-five years later he had greater re-
venge when his alma mater not only chose
him to deliver the annual Grafton, but at his
close conferred upon him without solicita-
ton the deeyreee of Doctor of Iarzs